Lattremond steps up to the bookshelf, turning to keep his shadow from blocking the light as he scans the shelves for items of interest. Most of the bundles of paper and scrolls look to be in terrible condition, crumbling at his touch, but the bound books look in better shape. Most of the spines that are labelled are clearly written in Dwarven. Ingoring those, Lattremond finds a few which in Common. Handing one to Elspeath as she appears at his side, the two begin scanning through their small horde. The subject matter is plain. Alchemy. They are all in bad shape, but enough of the pages survive that doesn't take too confim it. A Treatis on the Uses of Barks, Leaves, Saps of Trees and Shrubs. This was next to one on Fruits, nuts and galls. One about powders of crushed gems, stone and clays. And Two particularly damaged books are related to embuing items with magical properties. It is too damaged to make much out of it and what can been read is too esoteric and fragmented be useful.
On the far side of the room, Borgo retreives both bottles from their nooks easily. Turning to hold one up and then other against the light. The fluid contained in the first is clear and thin, moving freely agains the sides of the bottle as you give it a little shake. The myriad tiny flecks of gold and silver swirl around inside, with a tiny glint of blue, red or green appearing here and there as well. The second bottle is about the same size but substantially heavier. The glass itself is thicker but it must be impregnated with lead or some other metal to be this hefty. There are four distinct marks on the side which may indicate dosages. The contents also give the apearance of being more substantial. It is a thicker dark red liquid which only passes some of the torchlight through. Gently shaking this bottle generates slow opalescent eddies of oranges and yellows.
As Berith carries the torch to the back of the room, she carries Lattremond and Elspeath along in her wake of light. Noting the colored glints coming from the upheld bottles, they set their ragged tomes down on the edge of the workbench come for a closer look. Handing the potions off to Lattremond and Elspeath, he turns to the second chest and lifts it's lid. Looking back briefly as Thak looms over his shoulder, he pushes it back fully to expose a small purse of coins amist a set of more intact books. The books are plainly religious; the cracked covers are emblazoned with Ord's symbol and a quick glance at the yellowed pages show dull and peeling illuminated Dwarven runes. The purse though, that clicks merrily in his grasp. A quick look inside and a discerning toss tells Borgo it holds about 30 gold.
Alright, I forgot to confirm ealier, that yes, as with the Anvil room, there there are no other apparent exits than the one entered from. The bookcase, long workbench and the two chests have been investigated, leaving the crates and the long container.
You've found two potions of some description one sparkly and one red. Further investigate can be taken as the old sniff and taste test can be done without harm. Lattremond or Elspeath can give me an Intelligence roll if they do so, and we'll see how much they can determine about their properties. In addition the group has recovered 30GP in coin. I am presuming that Elspeath and Lattremond are each holding a potion, being those most likely to know somtheing about them.
The bookshelf doesn't seem to turn up much as most of the content is in Dwarven, too brittle/damage to withstand scrutiny or both. The texts you read cover topics related to alchemy and the crafting of magical items. Tantalizing topics for those inclined to read, but unfortunately the books are in an unusable state.
Light Sources:
Berith - Torch (3)
Initiative Order:
Borgo
Thak 3/7HP
Lattremond
BerIth 5/10HP
Elspeath
